MADE TO MATTER

Face to Face with Jesus #5

Pastor Dennis Clanton

Woodland Church

Sunday, June 1, 2025

(Matthew 6:25–34, Message) “If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, it follows that you don’t fuss about what’s on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds. “Has anyone by fussing in front of the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? All this time and money wasted on fashion—do you think it makes that much difference? Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop, but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them. “If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. “Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.”

1. NO MATTER HOW I FEEL ABOUT YOURSELF, JESUS SEES ME

(Luke 19:5, NLT) “When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. “Zacchaeus!” he said. “Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today.”

(Matthew 6:26, Message) “Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds.”

2. NO MATTER WHO IGNORES ME, JESUS LOVES ME

(Luke 19:7, NLT) “He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner,” they grumbled.”

(Isaiah 49:15–16, NLT) “Can a mother forget her nursing child? Can she feel no love for the child she has borne? But even if that were possible, I would not forget you! See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands.”

3. NO MATTER WHAT I’VE DONE, JESUS BEFRIENDS ME

(Luke 19:5, NLT) “When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. “Zacchaeus!” he said. “Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today.”

(Revelation 3:20, NLT) “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.”

4. NO MATTER WHO DOUBTS ME, JESUS BELIEVES IN MY POTENTIAL

(Luke 19:5, NLT) “I must be a guest in your home today.”

(Matthew 6:30, Message) “If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you?”

5. NO MATTER WHAT OTHERS SAY, JESUS AFFIRMS ME

(Luke 19:9, NLT) “Jesus responded, “Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham”

(Matthew 6:33–34, MESSAGE) “Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. … God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.”

GROWTHWORK

1. OPEN YOUR HEART TO JESUS NOW.

(Luke 19:10, NLT) “For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”

2. RECEIVE JESUS CHRIST TODAY GLADLY!

(Luke 19:6, NASB) “And he hurried and came down and received Him gladly.”

3. BECOME A GENEROUS PERSON.

(Luke 19:8, LB) “Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood before the Lord and said, “Sir, from now on I will give half my wealth to the poor, and if I find I have overcharged anyone on his taxes, I will penalize myself by giving him back four times as much!”